PLYMOUTH-This month, the Women’s Services and Gender Resources department has been active in arranging discussions and events to increase awareness about violence. On, Thursday, April 7, Plymouth State University junior Katy Cohn orchestrated a panel discussion in the HUB on child sexual assault.
The speakers included Karen Cohn from the Division of Child Youth and Family services (DCYF), Linda Dunn from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and Officer Michelle Clarke who is an investigator for Plymouth State Campus Police.
Karen Cohn discussed her job in respect to the chain of events that take place when a child abuse investigation begins. When a tip is given about possible child abuse, the information goes through a filtering system and the case is then ranked one through three in order of urgency. However, DCYF cannot remove a child from home without a court order to do so. DCYF works closely with the investigating police department to prosecute the perpetrators of all forms of child abuse and neglect.
Linda Dunn discussed CASA’s role. CASA is a non-profit organization where volunteers appointed by the Court, advocate for the child’s best interest regarding custody and if necessary, placement in a foster home. According to Dunn, “our job is to place the child in a safe environment. These kids love their parents, they want to be home, and if that is possible and safe, that is what we do. But our job is to look out for the best interest of the child.”
Michelle Clarke’s role is to investigate the crime and relay that information to the Court. She has to work with the alleged perpetrators as well as the victims to get her information. Working with the children can be difficult according to Clarke: “You need to build a rapport with the children. They have already been violated by adults, people they trust.”
The discussion lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes. Attendees watched a video with interviews from adults who were victims of sexual assault. Most of the time the abuse is at the hand of a family member or someone close to the child’s family.
There are many signs children exhibit when they have been victims of sexual assault. These may include an abnormal fear of people, sleeplessness, anxiety, eating disorders, sexual knowledge beyond other children their age, and wetting their pants, to name a few.
Also noteworthy, all residents in the State of New Hampshire are mandated reporters. That means that New Hampshire residents are required to report any suspected abuse. Calls can be made to the police department as well as various hotlines. The Littleton office of Child and Family Services can be reached toll free at 800-439-0418 and the Laconia office at 603-524-5835.